Breakthrough in understanding brain ageing

The loss of ‘white matter’ and myelin in the brain has been identified as a central factor in age-related brain deterioration, new research has revealed.

In a new study, it was found that the cells that drive myelin repair become less efficient as we age and identified a key gene that is most affected by ageing, which reduces the cells’ ability to replace lost myelin.

The loss of myelin results in cognitive decline and is central to several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.